Rafael Betancourt makes progress in elbow rehab

Rafael Betancourt, 38, is encouraged by his recovery from elbow surgery. He hopes to pitch this season. (Associated Press)

Rafael Betancourt couldn’t live with the uncertainty. There was path to retirement after he he tore his right elbow ligament last Aug. 22.

“But I didn’t want to wonder what if?” Betancourt said on Friday morning.

The 38-year-old elected to undergo surgery and said Friday that his recovery is advancing as planned. He will visit Dr. James Andrews next week, and should begin throwing soon after the exam. Betancourt plans to visit the Rockies for two weeks in spring training in March, and hasn’t given up on pitching during the 2014 season. The Los Angeles Dodgers contacted him as a free agent, but he’s committed to returning with Colorado.

“If I pitch again, it will be with the Rockies. I can’t see myself anywhere else at this point in my career. I have really enjoyed five years there,” Betancourt said.

Betancourt has talked with Rockies pitcher Jorge De La Rosa and former teammate Felipe Paulino about the wrinkles in the recovery from Tommy John surgery.

“They both said that at nine and 10 months you feel really strong again. I feel good. It feels better every day,” Betancourt said.

The Rockies declined the right-hander’s $4.25 million contract option following the injury. They signed La Troy Hawkins and Boone Logan as free agents to bolster a bullpen that struggled mightily when Betancourt was hurt with groin and elbow injuries.

Betancourt has posted a 3.08 ERA with 57 saves in 264 appearances with the Rockies.

Patrick, a third-generation Colorado native, is back for his second stint covering the Rockies. He first covered the team from 2005-2009, helping chronicle “Rocktober” in 2007 and also following the team’s playoff run in 2009.

Nick Groke has worked at The Denver Post since 1997, as a sports reporter, city reporter, entertainment writer and digital editor and producer, among other newsroom posts. He also writes regularly about boxing, soccer, MMA and NASCAR.